Chicagoist: For the Foodies

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:50:30 -0600

It's so funny - I've never thought of the word as anything more than just a way to describe someone who digs food. I guess it makes sense, though, that is has a sort of cutesy image. Thank you for coming up with some suggestions, Stealth! Maybe you should name the kid Thing 1. That way if you have more, there's sort of a natural progression of things. -L. ;)

Stealth

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:43:31 -0600

Well, to make my position clear, I don't love or hate the word. Just wondered how and why it came into being. But, yeah I did find the term kinda cutesy and had an image of a "foodie" as a person who likes eating in restaurants and watching Food Network shows and generally liked everything about food except doing the actual cooking. At least that was the image in my head. "A new restaurant opened? I am so there!" As for a possible new name? Gotta think on that. But if it stays "Foodie", it's cool. Thursday's Specials Thursday Menu Entre Cook's Night Off ...ok, I suck at a naming things. If I ever have a kid, his or her name will be "Kid"

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:27:45 -0600

I'm almost pleased that I used the term 'foodie' simply because of the discussion! Okay, so, as stated, I am not attached to the term or title of this series. Any suggestions on how you'd like to see your weekly round up of food-related events titled? Extra points if it incorporates "Thursday" so it is memorable what day of the week we post it. -L.

Ingrid

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:22:44 -0600

It's the contemporary way...everything and everybody has to be labeled. But speaking of food and contemporary culture, I have a set of DVD's of The French Chef with Julia Child from when she was on PBS. It's just so fun and refreshing to watch her (in the full glory of black & white). I really hate Food Network and all of the bombastic cooking shows on now.

Chuck Sudo

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:17:40 -0600

I've always slightly bristled at the word, myself. We've actually had dialogue about this before (link). I agree with John T. Edge in that the term is dismissive.

matilda

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:03:56 -0600

Stealth: I think it goes back at least 20 years, but I am not sure about the first use or anything like that. I remember a book that used the word "foodie" in the title. Someone in my family had it. Even then, the childish quality of the word, the way it sounded so freaking cute, was annoying. Our society seems pretty welcoming to these childish words and phrases these days, doesn't it? (hater, flip-flopper, foodie, Joe the Plumber, etc.)

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:02:08 -0600

Stealth - seems like it started in 1984 with a book called The Official Foodie Handbook by Ann Barr and Paul Levy - but that's a guess based upon this article: http://www.smh.com.au/news/Good-Living/Original-foodie/2005/01/04/1104601340273.html Oh, just saw your newest comment...looks like you found that info on Wiki, too. Looks fairly reliable.

Stealth

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:01:12 -0600

Wait. I found this on Wiki, if it can be trusted. "Foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink. The word was coined in 1981 by Paul Levy and Ann Barr, who used it in the title of their 1984 book The Official Foodie Handbook."

Stealth

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:58:09 -0600

Oh, and what is the first known use of the word "foodie"?

Stealth

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:57:15 -0600

Were their "foodies" around before Food Network? I mean, there were food magazines, of course, but I wonder how much of this "foodie" culture has to do with a 24/7 channel that showcases chefs, techniques and all things cooking.

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:36:28 -0600

It just that foodie always sounded like one of the minor, and perhaps drug-addled, Smurfs. I never thought of that before... but, it makes way too much sense.

matilda

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:32:34 -0600

I propose a plebiscita to permanently exile the term "foodie" from Chicagoist! Do I have a second from the Concilium Plebis? Can you take "hater" and "haterade" as well? Not sure what to replace "foodie" it with, though. It just that foodie always sounded like one of the minor, and perhaps drug-addled, Smurfs.

Chuck Sudo

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:23:41 -0600

"Are their similar terms for fans of other things like ... collectible beer cans?" 'Round these parts we call that person "Marcus."

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:52:04 -0600

Hi there, Stealth. That's a great question. I was using it generically - as in someone who just digs food. I decided to check on wikipedia (for what that's worth) and found this on 'foodie' vs 'gourmet': "Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news." There must be similar terms for other groups you mentioned...cinemaphile, sports fans (not very imaginative, I admit). Now, the collectible beer can collector - a phrase comes to mind but I'm going to keep that to myself. :P -L.

Stealth

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:40:59 -0600

What, exactly, is the definition of a "foodie"? Someone that likes food? Someone that frequents restaurants? Someone that is interested in food and food related items? Are their similar terms for fans of other things like movies and sports and collectible beer cans?

L. Stolpman

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:39:06 -0600

Spooook, do you have a suggestion? I'm not attached to the title. Gimme some options! love, -L.

Spook

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:32:49 -0600

I propose a plebiscita to permanently exile the term "foodie" from Chicagoist! Do I have a second from the Concilium Plebis?